Well, I knew this was gonna be a big day…. No doubt that Lance was going for the win – everybody knew it. When I went in for the petite dejeuner this morning at the hotel, I told Chris Brewer and the OLN guys that I put on clean sox and my Go Lance shirt just to guarantee the win for Lance.

It was absolutely amazing and delightful at the team bus today. Lance’s kids showed up with his Mom, Linda, and Sheryl’s parents, Bernice and Wendell. They put down a little blanket at the side of the bus and had a picnic. When Lance arrived, they jumped all over him (I have pics to put up in the gallery, but not sure I’ll have time tonight before they close the press center).

Then, while Lance was warming up for this most important TT – his last one, and his last chance to win a stage. But Lance totally paid attention to those kids while he was warming up. They played with his bike stuff, and I heard Luke ask his Dad, “Do you win lots of bike races?” Couldn’t hear Lance’s answer. Then he asked his Dad if he was going to ride the bike all the way to the finish line.

All three kids jumped all over Lance, and pestered him with questions. Lance gave his kids total attention right in the middle of his warm-up – it was very clear what his priority was. I thought about Jan warming up, probably being deadly serious, and also Ivan and the rest of the guys. Here was Lance, laughing and joking with his kids, family and staff.

Right before he left for the TT Start chute, he had a Power Gel – he wadded up the little container packet and tried to make a shot into the garbage bag. He missed by just a little bit. Well, he asked Ryszard to get the crumpled-up container and give it back to him so he could try again! This guy is leaving for the start of his TT and he is shooting baskets! Well, he tried a second time, and needless to say, the little crumpled foil ball sailed right into the garbage bag. That’s Lance…

It was just delightful to see Lance and Sheryl interact with those kids… It’s obvious that they all love each other so much… The kids adore Sheryl… She is so great with them. This evening, at Lance’s press conference, I saw Sheryl being a bit teary-eyed. I think we are all realizing this is the last dance….